A query on fan-fiction.

[Timewave Zero]

I am currently taking The Escapists 'How High Is your Nerd Level?' quiz, and my final question is 'Have you ever written fan-fiction beofre?'.

Here's my problem:
Being a huge fan of the works of H.P. Lovecraft, I'm prone to writing out idea's or basic structures for Lovecraftian pastuches, i.e stories in hiss tyle. But here's the thing: I've never used one of his characters, I've always made my own.

My question is: is it considered fan-fiction if you set it in the same universe, but make up your own characters, locations and don't used any previously established material?

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!!

 

[sheic99]

Yes. If it exists in a universe created by someone else it's fan fiction. Which technically makes all mainstream comics approved[footnote]Trying to think of a better word for this[/footnote] fan fiction.

 

[Zipa]

Yes it does.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

The terminology for what you've done would be (unimaginatively) Original Character (or OC) fanfiction.

If you write yourself into a fanfic with established characters it's called a Self-Insert.

If you write a character that, different name/appearance or not, is essentially you, that character would be an Author Avatar.


Tune in next week where we explain and discuss everybody's least favourite character types; Mary-Sue and Gary-Stu.